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OPINION

FedEx, IP exemplify corporate generosity in Memphis

The Commercial Appeal
Published 6:05 a.m. CT Nov. 18, 2016

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FedEx employees Sissy Walker (left), hands over additional winter coats to Missy Kelly during a coat drive at Newberry Elementary School on Thursday. FedEx Cares partnered with Operation Warm to provide more than 450 students at Newberry with a "gift of warm." The donation was made possible through a FedEx team member as well as a grant from FedEx Cares. FedEx Cares is the company's global giving platform through which FedEx will invest $200 million in more that 200 global communities by 2020 to create opportunities and deliver positive change around the world. Operation Warm's mission is to build self-esteem through pride and ownership while increasing school attendance and overall wellness within a child. "We're so excited about this," said Rae Lyn Rushing, senior communications specialist, FedEx Global Media. "Just seeing the looks on the child's faces - that says it all. Just seeing their joy and excitement ... seeing their eyes light up - that's what FedEx Cares is all about. Just making the world a better place; making our communities a better place."(Photo: Yalonda M. James/The Commercial Appeal)Buy Photo

The Memphis area’s largest private employer gets a lot of attention for its impact on the local economy. With a local workforce of more than 30,000, it’s an economic engine of unparalleled impact.

What fails to get the notice it deserves is the generosity and civic minded spirit of the company and its management. And we’re not just talking about high profile sports-related sponsorships like the FedExForum and the FedEx St. Jude Classic PGA golf tournament.

We were reminded of this aspect of the company’s presence this week when plans were revealed for a project that will make an immeasurable impact on the lives of families in crisis and reinforce this city’s reputation for hospitality and generosity – a major addition to FedExFamilyHouse at 918 Poplar Ave., a home away from home for visitors to Le Bonheur Children's Hospital.

A $12 million expansion led by FedEx Corp.’s $5 million donation over five years to a new fundraising campaign will permit FedExFamilyHouse to triple in size by 2018, to 75 suites and rooms. Frederick and Diane Smith, and Alan and Susan Graf are making personal donations. Smith is chairman, president and chief executive officer at FedEx, and Graf is chief financial officer.

A similar story could be told about International Paper, a company that has made a significant impact not only on the economic front, but on the philanthropic side as well.

IP, which employs 2,400 people in Memphis, it was revealed late last week, will donate $1.25 million to the Mid-South Food Bank to help improve its efficiency by consolidating operations now in three warehouses to a single large facility.

That’s in addition to $20,000 donated earlier this year by IP for freezer repairs at the food bank and an $80,000 donation raised at its golf tournament, as well as the volunteer work put in by 100 IP employees in the food bank warehouse.

That’s far short of a complete list of the companies that are meeting or exceeding their civic responsibilities in Memphis – just a couple of recent reminders of how our community has achieved its rating by the Chronicle of Philanthropy, as of 2012, as the second most generous large American city.

Which is an amazing fact, considering the second worst poverty rate in the country along with ongoing struggles with neighborhood blight, a poor educational achievement record, food insecurity and health-related challenges.

Companies like FedEx and IP are giving much back to a community that has helped them prosper. They should not be forgotten when the conversation turns to what we like about this town.